National Park Service: The First 75 Years

(Courtesy of Eastern National Park & Monument Association)

Roy E. Appleman retired as chief, Branch of Park History Studies, Washington Office, on July 26, 1970. Receiving the A.B. degree (magna cum laude) from The Ohio State University in 1928, he also attended Yale Law School and was awarded an A.M. degree from Columbia University in 1935. He was first employed as a sites survey historian by the Service in 1936, and in July 1937, entered on duty as regional historian, Region I, Richmond, Virginia. Appleman's NPS career was interrupted by service in both World War II and the Korean Conflict, serving as combat historian and captain with the Tenth Army on Okinawa and as lieutenant colonel with the X Corps in Korea. In 1947 he married professional librarian Irene White; they have three children.

Author (or co-author) of several military history studies, including South to Naktong, North to the Yalu and Okinawa: The Last Battle, Appleman also co-authored a book on the U.S. flag. He prepared numerous studies for the historic Sites Survey, one of which resulted in the publication of Lewis and Clark. He made a major contribution to the NPS by his energetic service on Director Conrad Wirth's Mission 66 Committee. The committee charted a comprehensive program for major improvements in park operations and facilities nationwide. Earlier, while serving as historian in the then Region I Office, Appleman played a key role in creation of the Eastern National Park & Monument Association, a cooperating association of the National Park Service. He served as ENP & MA's first executive secretary until 1951, drafting the articles of incorporation and establishing the first six sales outlets. Since then, ENP & MA has donated in excess of $10 million to assist NPS programs.

From National Park Service: The First 75 Years